quick takes 2/5
Annihilation #6...It's not original to say it, but man oh MAN this "event" has been so much better than Civil War! It's not even close, really. I hope this develops into at least one long-running Marvel outer space saga, because that's an aspect of the Universe that hasn't gotten much play lately. As these minis have shown, there are many great stories to tell out there. Giffen's uneven reputation gave me pause, but I'm glad to have read these. The trials of Nova, Drax, Ronan, Cammi, and Moondragon have been compelling like few other stories in memory. Excellent.Daredevil #93...hits the reset button. Would it really have been so hard to write stories about Daredevil on the run all over the world, hunted, not able to practice law? I guess it does take the character out of his element, but still. A ho-hum plot, competently executed, still makes you go ho-hum. I guess we'll see what Brubaker really wants to do with this character now, though. Eh.
Black Panther #24...I so enjoyed the Christopher Priest take on this character, so it's taken a while for Hudlin to win me over. But he really has, with subtle, political storylines that establish the Panther as a unique presence in the Marvel Universe. I have high hopes about the art, too, which shows signs of developing into something special. Good.
Invincible #38...I'm forever on the fence about this series. On the one hand, I love the art, which manages great detail and great clarity at the same time. I also find the overall plotting to be imaginative and compelling, with a real direction to the series as the title character slowly realizes what it means to be his father's son. But the dialogue always turns me off, and, as so often happens in Kirkman-scripted books, this leads to scenes that should be quite emotional falling flat. I've never bought this series regularly for that reason, but I did pick up this issue to note that everything interesting about it is still interesting, with a war and a break-up looming on the horizon. Unfortunately, the dialogue is still bad. OK, I guess.
Moon Knight #7...Reviews have been quite mixed on this series, but I really like it. They're giving us a hero who is insanely driven to fight crime, but also not that great at it. It's an interesting variation on Batman that hasn't really been tried before, making this series an oddity that probably won't survive the departure of its high-profile artist. But it's been Excellent.
American Virgin #11...Seagle and Cloonan's unconventional portrait of a Christian continues, as Adam makes some more seriously dangerous choices, all in the pursuit of true love. Excellent.
Teen Titans #43...It's been announced that this is Geoff Johns' final arc; he's going out having our Titans attacked by some evil Titans. A run-of-the-mill story, told exceedingly well. Vintage Johns, in other words. Good.
Silent War #1...In which the Inhumans declare war on humanity. Have they ever done this before? I can't remember, but it seems a natural story for them, and makes them more pro-active, instead of just being victimized by our pollution. I've always thought that Black Bolt was a dubious choice for a ruler, as he's literally one word away from killing people at all times, and perhaps overly reliant on his wife as a result. This story appears to be dealing with this problem head-on, which bodes well. Excellent.
Deathblow #3...I meant to drop this, but decided to give it another try in the hope that Azzarello would show me something. But he doesn't. Bad.
DMZ #15...A well-reviewed series that I hadn't looked at yet. Apparently it's New York City under UN occupation after some sort of war or other calamity, with obvious parallels to Baghdad, complete with thinly-veiled versions of Halliburton and Blackwater. The insurgency-eye-view of the storyline does hold some interest, but it's too cute for me; Vertigo would be much edgier to write a comic that's actually about Baghdad today. Eh.
Blue Beetle #11...This one, on the other hand, is a gem. I'd been reading good things about it, so I picked it up and was delighted by the new guy in the beetle armor. I had no particular attachment to Ted Kord, though, so your mileage may vary. I think this Jaime kid makes a great superhero, and the new artist is great, too. Excellent.
Eternals #6...This has been talky and it remains talky, but I've slowly been coming around. I remember The Dreaming Celestial from the Handbook, and Gaiman nails here what is cool about the concept: an immensely powerful alien being imprisoned for a crime that is literally beyond human understanding. And of course, the Romita, Jr., art blows you away. Excellent.
Helmet of Fate: Ibis #1...A fun take on a character I've never heard of. The story alters the (presumed) formula of this series of one-shots by not having the new Ibis actually use the helmet at all. It's all the more interesting for it. Excellent.
Hellblazer #228...Denise Mina's run on this title has not been its greatest, but her final chapter here turns on an element totally unexpected hilarity, which gives a heart to what otherwise could have been a pretty dreary enterprise. Good.
Fables #57 and Jack of Fables #7...Two excellent stories, with the Fables family of Snow White, Bigby Wolf, and their brood running into serious trouble at Grandpa's house, and Jack losing track of his plot but improvising brilliantly in Vegas. A great one-two punch from Willingham, who seems to be finding his groove again after some middling issues of Shadowpact and Fables. Both Excellent.
Noble Causes #26...This is not a regular title, but I remembered enjoying the early issues and thought I'd check it out. It has lost some of its buoyancy, perhaps because the art is a little more serious than it used to be. This series should really be drawn by someone like J. Scott Campbell or Todd Nauck, but perhaps it is not high enough profile for them. OK.
Checkmate #10...Another great issue of superhero espionage; you get the feeling that this is exactly how the government would deal with mystically powered cult leaders if they existed, and thank goodness they do not. Excellent.
Wolverine #50...Just a big fight scene, really. Certainly good for what it is, but it's not much. OK.
Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters #7...Just not that good a series, though the art is beautiful. Too many tough assassins and not enough characterization; it's like something from Image circa 1993. Bad.
Civil War: The Return...Sort of ill-advised resurrection, not that you can really expect anything less from a comic book. I highly doubt this book would exist if the main Civil War series weren't running so late. And, while it's not offensively bad, I'd certainly rather just have the "event" over with and get on to some real stories again. Eh.
Ex Machina #26...An Excellent issue of this series, setting up a story in which the superhero mayor will have to show if he can do his job without being a superhero.
Criminal #4...Things get worse. Sex, drugs, and death are all around. It's somehow still human, hopeful, and compelling. Excellent.
100 Bullets #80...It relies on a revelation that is not really a revelation, and it feels like the Minutemen have been hanging out in the desert for an awfully long time. Still OK, thanks to great art.
Dr. Strange: The Oath #4...Not the best issue of the miniseries, as we get the villain's lengthy explanation for why he has to destroy our hero in this one. Still pretty Good, thanks to great art.
Supergirl and the Legion #26...This series has really worked its way back into my good graces with a classic family confrontation and a really, really impressive-looking villain. Good.
Fallen Angel #12...One of the stronger issues of this series, as the drug dealer Asia Minor reveals his fatalism and Jude begins to realize just how lonely things can get at the top. Excellent.
posted by Mr. Blasphemy @ 11:10 AM
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